Glen Reen always knew he had a loyal base of friends and family behind him to cheer him on at racetracks across the Northeast.

What the Wilbraham resident didn’t know, however, was whether they’d put their money where their mouths were.

He surely knows now. Friends, family, fans and members of other race teams helped Reen raise more than $2,000 to help enter his car in last weekend’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Stafford Motor Speedway.

Reen utilized a novel concept to sponsorship – individuals donating at least $40 apiece to have their names on the No. 17 machine. That money helped offset the repair costs after a crash last month at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

“I was actually surprised to see how well it went,” Reen said. “It was just enough to cover the tire bill and half the cost of getting into the race.”

Those supporters got a little more bang for their buck when Reen finished seventh in the Carquest Fall Final. Reen drove from 32nd place on four separate occasions and was a lap down with 40 laps to go in the 150-lap event. Every accident seemed to happen right in front of Reen, but he stayed out of harm’s way enough times to get back in contention.

“To come back and finish seventh was like the biggest win for us,” Reen said. “If you had told me with 40 to go that I’d finish seventh, I’d have told you you were lying.”

In all, just over 30 people had their names on the No. 17 car, while about 20 others donated money but didn’t want the recognition. Reen received some help from fellow competitors, as well. Many of them probably walked away wondering why they didn’t think of that themselves.

“It went over extremely well in the pits,” Reen said. “It’s crazy to think that 50 people are behind you enough to put money behind you.”

Reen’s seventh-place finish meant he came home with his car in one piece, which helps him as he intends to enter the season finale next weekend at Thompson International Speedway. He would also like to head South in November to take part in the prestigious North-South Shootout, where he won a race two years ago.